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How automatic federal budget cuts could affect Pa.

By The Associated Press

Posted:
02/24/2013 08:07:44 PM EST

Updated:
02/24/2013 08:07:45 PM EST

Education and defense would be among the biggest losers in Pennsylvania under automatic cuts to the federal budget set to take hold this week, according to a report that the White House issued Sunday as it seeks to avoid the impending economic fallout.

The White House compiled the numbers from federal agencies and its own budget office. The numbers reflect the impact of the cuts this year. Unless Congress acts by Friday, $85 billion in cuts are set to take effect from March to September.

As to whether states could move money around to cover shortfalls, the White House said that depends on state budget structures and the specific programs.

Gov. Tom Corbett has said the cuts would be a loss of about $240 million for Pennsylvania, and officials have said repeatedly that any federal money lost would not be replaced by state funds.

According to the White House, Pennsylvania would lose:

EDUCATION:

— About $26.4 million in funding for primary and secondary education, putting around 360 teacher and aide jobs at risk.

— About $21.4 million in funds for about 260 teachers, aides, and staff who help children with disabilities.

— Money for Head Start and Early Head Start services for about 2,300 children.

ENVIRONMENT:

— More than $5.7 million to ensure clean water and air quality, as well as prevent pollution from pesticides and hazardous waste.

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— More than $1.4 million in grants for fish and wildlife protection.

DEFENSE:

— About 26,000 civilian Department of Defense employees would be furloughed, reducing gross pay by around $150.1 million.

— About $7 million to operate Army bases.

LAW ENFORCEMENT:

— About $509,000 for law enforcement, prosecution and courts, crime prevention and education, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, and crime victim and witness initiatives.

HEALTH:

— About $361,000 for vaccines for diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, whooping cough, influenza, and Hepatitis B, affecting about 5,280 children.

— More than $1.2 million to respond to public health threats such as infectious diseases, natural disasters, and biological, chemical, nuclear and radiological events.

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